Welcome to another edition of “8 Questions with….”,an ongoing interactive interview series with excellent and creative folks who inhabit my MySpace page.

Way back when I first started this series, I had some hit and misses with my invites to folks to talk. While I sent out many interview requests, it was hard getting folks to agree to talk with me. I had a lot of “who are you again”? and “why do you want to interview me”? and in Matt Eaton’s case…I got crickets. But as the series has grown and level of interviews have gotten stronger, I haven’t forgotten those wanted I wanted to talk with in the beginning….like Matt Eaton.

Matt is a guitar player from Texas…his playing is at a different level then most. Taking a look at his Top Friend’s page and you can see where he wants to be. He has all the masters of the guitar listed as friends…Steve Vai, Larry Carlton and Carlos Santana are among his friends. Listening to his 3 songs Matt has listed on his page and you can how much love and ability the man has. Like I have mentioned before,many times I will go to a musician’s page and let the music play as a background as I write my blog or a article for someone else. Matt is one of my favorites to play when I do this.

So while you’re reading this interview,crack open another window,bring up Matt’s page and rock out a bit while discover a little bit about the man behind the guitar. Then perhaps add him as a pal…

And now,8 Questions with……………guitarist Matt Eaton.

comments and new subscribers are always welcome!

What drives you to make music?

ME: I think that every person is born with music in his or her very spirit. The Bible states that…before the firmament around the atmosphere shattered and fell…you could hear the stars singing. Scientifically…that would be possible…the firmament being a thin globe of crystal ice around the planet several miles above the surface. Every star in the heavens emits a radio wave frequency. To have been able to hears the heavens’ chorus must have been amazing! I believe that a person’s spirit also resonates at a certain frequency. We each have our own frequency with which we feel most spiritually comfortable. I know that this may sounds bizarre…to some. Recently…I learned that John McLaughlin has studied this and believes this as well.

Some people never have the opportunity to cultivate that. Some just don’t wish to…for whatever reason. I was just fortunate enough to be able to follow that and let my spirit harmonize with the frequency that I felt in me.

So…it’s not really a matter of something ‘driving me’ to make music. It is more that I am attempting to exist in harmony with my correct frequency. Of course…many things in life can interfere with that. For many of us the most obtrusive being the ‘day job’…ha-ha.

Do you have a routine before playing a live show, if so, what is it?

ME: Other than making sure that my nails are cut way short…let’s see…I usually make sure that I greet the person(s) doing sound and discuss things. As far as what I personally do for pre-show routine; I make sure I am drinking plenty of water but usually do not eat anything heavy. I’ll maybe have a protein bar or bag of peanuts with an orange juice. Of course…I tune my guitars…and then stretch my forearms then each finger separately. Sometimes I massage my fingers each in turn. Always remove my shoes…and then usually pray. I cannot play as well at all with shoes on. (Or live as well with them on…for that matter. I HATE shoes.) If I have enough time…I will light incense. Some venues prefer that you don’t. That’s fine.

What is the biggest difference between instrumental music and a band besides not having
vocals?

ME: The freedom. When you have vocals…the music then becomes structured for the vocals or lyrics. Not always…but that is the norm. Instrumental music is freedom to move around or break into a new direction at any point without having looks from a member who is now standing center stage wondering what the rest of the band is doing…ha-ha.

Also…the challenge in instrumental music is to relate the same emotion through the music…but without lyrics. This leaves the listener free to create the lyrical pictures using his/her own imagination. To me…it becomes more personal when the listener can relate whatever the musical emotion is to his/her own imagination or circumstance.

What makes you happier, playing live or teaching a new student?

ME: Definitely playing live…although I’m not playing live much these days either. Kind of laying low for a while and piecing together a home studio, which is taking forever! I do not have students at the moment.

What 3 guitar players influenced you the most and how so?

ME: Only three!?! Hmmm. I guess I should relate this to when I was first learning to play. (40 years ago) I won’t be able to keep it to just 3 though…ha-ha…sorry.

Carlos Santana was the first guitarist that I remember hearing whose playing ignited my desire to seriously learn how to play the instrument. Before that, I was just ‘air guitaring’ like every other kid and plunking along by ear with records. It was his tone and the way he added a bit of jazzy stuff in there…it just resonated in my spirit. Still does.

Hendrix of course. What could I say that hasn’t been said? Passion.

Frank Marino has always been a great influence. Not many players even knew who he was when I started listening to Mahogany Rush way back when. His energy is still fantastic. I saw him play a few months ago and he jammed for 3 straight hours! Only did 3 or 4 actual songs in that whole time. The rest was just jamming! Just fantastic!

Ritchie Blackmore. I read an interview with him in Guitar Player Magazine way back in the 70’s in which he talked about the mathematics of the fretboard . He also spoke about a simple little something that…when I put into practice…totally opened up my playing and gave me so much more speed that I could not believe I had been missing it. He said to ‘use your little finger.’ Since then…I have noticed how many guitarists…even really good ones…just leave that little finger hanging out there in space and only use it for special occasions.

Michael Schenker was a big influence as far as trying to learn to be more ’stylish’ in my playing…as well as Jeff Beck and John McLaughlin. Of course when EVH hit…all jaws were on the floor…ha-ha.

There were and are so many others. It changes from year to year and grows. You can see them in my MySpace friends.

Does your town have a good/bad music scene? What makes it that way?

ME: That depends on personal opinion really…and on what you like. In Dallas/Ft Worth…if you play blues…you’re in…although it’s pretty much a clique that you have to be accepted into once you prove yourself to be ‘worthy’…ha. If you play country…you can play pretty much anywhere.

There seems to be a trend toward ‘tribute’ bands that is becoming quite nauseating to many artists in D/FW. I think it may be just an inspiration issue…or lack of inspiration. (?) There are a few pretty good ones though…actually. There is still a hidden metal scene…although the venues have dwindled down to very few that will accept metal…especially original stuff. I went to a Nightwish concert in Dallas a while back that affirmed to me that the fans are still there. More to blame than anything for a lack-luster music scene in D/FW or in Texas period…are the lame excuses for radio stations here. Not one (even if they say they do) plays any new music in rotation from any artist who is still doing metal. (Excuse me…but AC/DC is getting old…and they are just ‘rock’ anyway.) If you hear an actual metal song on the radio…it will be from 1985. HELLO…they are still making new music. Why aren’t you playing the music they are making now? Oldies-oldies-oldies. Crap-crap-crap. There is no good metal radio here. It is all sold-out, corporate crap. (Do I sound bitter? Ha-ha) Yet…there are a couple of promoters/venues that are bringing great metal shows to D/FW.

As far as instrumental guitar music…that has always been hard to sell to venues. You usually have to take an opener slot…which is fine with me because I can take my time setting up…preparing and getting familiar with the atmosphere of the venue. The older you get…the less you like to be hurried…ha-ha.

Why do you think people are buying less music today then ever before?

ME: See answer above regarding radio. There are other factors for sure. Internet has totally changed things…and the free downloading and sharing of music (pirating) is making it next to impossible for non major label artists to make a living at it. This is destroying the motivation of many artists to even release music anymore. More importantly…it destroys the income that allows an independent artist to afford to record the music in a professional manner or bring good shows to our cities. One CD is sold. That person makes 6 copies for friends who don’t pay a thing for it. The artist just was cheated out of 6 sales that may have paid the water bill that month. More free downloads=less artist revenue=less music available=higher prices…etc. Which brings us to the next question.

Major concerts are highly overpriced; many shows haven’t even come close to selling out…what would you do to fix this problem?

ME: I’m not really sure that anyone can ‘fix the problem’ at this point. IMHO…I have to say that…many shows would sell out if promoters and radio stations would support the artists by advertising the concerts…but radio stations seem to have ’sold out’ and most promoters are barely able to afford to pay the venue rental…insurance…permits…licensing fees…etc.

Ticket sales seem high because the artists have to be able to make enough money to pay for travel…equipment…union help…food…costuming…set decoration…sound…lights…and of the the $40 and $50 t-shirt price…the artist only gets a small portion. If you are independent…you can come out a lot better on the merchandise sales…CD sales…etc…but venues and promoters have their expenses as well.

I don’t think that there really is ‘a fix’ for the way things are going. I do think that it is best to remain as independent and in control of your own art and direction as possible.

How has MySpace helped you the most?

ME: Exposure to the rest of the world in a way that would not or could not happen by simply placing a website out there. MySpace is a community of people looking to network…for many reasons other than music as well…but music being the main focus I think. I have found many wonderful progressive power metal bands that I did not know existed. I have found many new age and jazz artists that I had never heard. I have also found old friends from the past and new friends around the world. For all of the bad publicity that MySpace has been subject to…I think it was and is a wonderful idea.

To add Matt Eaton as a friend:
www.myspace.com/matteatonguitar

Welcome to another edition of “8 Questions with…..” an ongoing interactive interview series featuring the folks who share my MySpace page. With Wendy (our beloved,sexy and wholesome publisher)’s permission I am posting these interviews just as they were posted on my MySpace page.

I love indie music stores…the smells, the hard to find CDs no one has anymore,the old concert posters, the free zines at the front door and the clerks who make Kat Von D look like a poser but upon a closer peek are floating Avengers and Germ buttons.

Back in San Jose, I used to shop a store called Streetlight Records. The first store was small but the bargain bin was always great and the store was ALWAYS busy. Streetlight then moved into a much bigger area and it really took off! In-store performances and even better prices and selections. My favorite employee was a great guy named Craig,when he was working I would come in and we start ragging each other but good. The insults about my schedule at Marsugi’s and his band playing covers at some weak Los Gatos meat market would fill the air. Customers thought we would be coming to blows and clear out…then one of us would hit a good zinger,the other guy would laugh and then we hug and catch up with each other. Try doing that in a Best Buy!

The other thing I loved was when I was hunting in the 2.99 and below section…I would score such great deals about bands I read about in Flipside or MMR. Craig would come from behind, snatch the 6-7 CDs from hand and yell “Spend some fucking money in the new section”…it always made me laugh. Many of times I can recall walking up with those 6-7 CDs and end up paying for 5,thanks to Craig. I always had zines waiting for me to pick up as well……such was life at a indie store.

Which brings me to Ryan and Galaxy CDs. I asked for a Friends Request knowing this was someone I wanted to interview very much…especially in the light of the various chains like Tower Records and many of the Detroit area indie stores closing shop. How does one stay in business and thrive in such a hostile enviroment?

So when I requested this interview,I tried hard to ask the many burning questions that I feel you should know the answers to.

Hope you enjoy!

1. How long has Galaxy CDs been in business?

Since June of 2000, made it a lot longer than I think a lot of folks thought we would. I’m a stubborn s.o.b.
2. What led you to start a indy music store?

I’ve always been a huge music fan and collector, dating back to being in middle school in the late 70’s, lord I’m old. I managed a small chain of cd stores in Columbus Ohio in the late 80’s, and while the pay sucked, it was the best job I’d ever had. What more could you ask for than to work around music all day, talk about it with others, and get paid, even if it wasn’t much?

I got married and life kind of changed, I took progressively better jobs in ‘corporate’ retail, which paid great, but were just not rewarding. I finally reached a point in 2000 where I realized I had the financial ability to give owning my own business a shot, and felt that if I didn’t do it then I likely never would, so I pulled the trigger.

They say to do something for a living you’d do for free, and this is it for me. I was fortunate to some extent to live in a medium sized city that didn’t offer anything like this, so we were able to be viable immediately.
3. How can indy music stores stay in business in today’s hyper-competitive market?

Indie shops are thriving by doing a lot of things the big shops won’t. We’re a community center, we have a big comfy couch right up front where people can come in and just hang out and talk and listen to music. We carry vinyl records, something you just won’t see at the big chain stores. While we certainly aren’t big enough to compete always on price with a company that wants to offer cds at below wholesale, we do offer a much deeper selection, and carry types of music that a Best Buy or Wal Mart just won’t touch. You won’t find Behemoth or Cannibal Corpse over there for example.
4. Why should someone shop your store instead of the local Best Buy or Virgin Superstore?

Because we’re cooler than they are! I have customers all the time that say to me “I’d rather pay a dollar more here and give it to you, then add another dollar to a company like Wal Mart.”

Because, as mentioned above, we’ll offer things they won’t have. We have people in the store that actually know what the hell they’re talking about, and will help you find what your looking for. I have people call me on their cell phones from their cars to listen to a song playing on the radio they want but can’t identify, people that come in and sing to us, or people that know 1 line from a song they heard 10 years ago they want to find. We’ll do it for them, figure out what they want, and get it for them Try pulling something like that at Best Buy. They’ll look at you like you’ve got 3 heads.
5.How important are local bands/musicians to your store?

Not as important as we’d like frankly. We have probably 600 local band cds on hand accumulated over the 7 odd years we’ve been doing this, but probably don’t sell more than a handful a month. I could probably count on my two hands the number of local bands that have sold more than a dozen cds via our store.

It’s a great thing to offer, but the reality is most people coming in have no idea who or what these cds are. Most local artists sell the majority of their cds at their shows. It’s great for them to be able to say “hey, if you’d rather buy an extra beer tonight you can get our new cd at Galaxy CDS” but unfortunately it just doesn’t translate into significant sales.
6. What are the 5 greatest changes (good or bad) that you have seen since starting up?

1 and 2: I-Tunes and the I-Pod are clearly the biggest thing to hit the music business, probably since the cd. It’s changing fundamentally how people listen to and buy music. There’s always going to be a place I think for someone that wants to purchase a physical good, hell we sell a lot of vinyl which is about as retro as you can get, but there’s a segment of the population that will never again buy a cd.

3. The internet in general, which as I mentioned has had both positive and negative impacts on the music industry.

4. The consolodation of the major labels. I believe this has been a disaster for the industry, it’s severely limited the number of artists that can get signed and offered to the public in a broad way. They have become increasingly reliant on the megahit, while simultaneously failing to develop anyone who can deliver that kind of sales any longer.

5. The dominance of Clear Channel and Ticketmaster. Playlists are smaller, tighter, and more boring than ever before. Fewer artists are being offered to people via conventional media than ever. Ticketmaster and the ridiculous fees they charge have further limited people’s access to seeing live shows.

Most of that is negative I realize, but those are the things that are the root causes, to me, of the current state of the industry. They’ve made it so hard for people who’s primary exposure to music is the mass media to find new artists, that people aren’t buying music. They don’t know what to buy. Hardcore music fans are finding it themselves on the internet, and shopping at stores like ours, but the big boxes music sales and the major labels sales are clearly suffering for it.
7. Will the internet kill the music business?

Certainly not. It may kill off the major label business model, which wouldn’t be a bad thing, but music is too important to too many people’s lives to disappear. We’ve certainly seen where a phenomenon like I-Tunes has cut into the sales of major artists cds, as people just download the song they want rather than buy the cd.

But the flipside is that the internet has made it so much easier for people who want to find new music to identify bands they like. A lot of those folks come to us to get those cds. It’s a rare day when I don’t hear someone ask for a band they heard on MySpace or somewhere else online.
8. How has MySpace helped or hindered your business?

Lol, maybe I should have read ahead…I think MySpace has been a huge boon to our business. It gives me a place to communicate with our customers. It, as I said, exposes people to artists they might not have otherwise ever heard of. It gives us another avenue to be a part of the music community, and to participate with our customers.

9. What would you say if someone offered to buy Galaxy CDs from you today?

How much you got? Lol, honestly, my shop is probably too small to attract enough cash for me to retire in my 40’s, so I’d thank them for their interest, then pass. I’ve already had a ‘real’ job, I don’t have any desire to go back to one if I can avoid it.
10. What do you look for in hiring a employee to work for you?

Someone I’ve seen in my shop on a regular basis. I get people all the time that come in and ask for a job that I’ve never seen set foot in my store. Why would I hire that person when I’ve got another kid that’s been coming in here 3 times a week for years?

I look for someone that I’ve never heard say something like “rap sucks” or “metal sucks” or whatever. You may not like all types of music, but if you want to work in a record store you have to at least appreciate it and understand it. You can’t make me money running all my hip hop fans or whoever out the door by telling them what they like sucks.

Lastly I look for someone that seems trustworthy. I’m basically handing that person my future, giving them my wallet and keys and saying “here ya go man, don’t screw me”.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to find people that meet all those criteria, I hope they never graduate from college.

11. What 3 artists have completely blown you away since opening your store?

I’ll put a plug in for Equal Vision Records here, they’re a small label that has yet to put out a cd I didn’t just love. They have never disappointed me with a release. That said, here’s 3 bands I’ve been diggin:

Stateless A newer band from England, kind of a mix of Coldplay and Portishead. Terrific stuff.

Isis Terrific slightly sludgy metal outfit, just love these guys.

Dear and the Headlights Killer indie pop band.
12. Why is your town cool?

Because my store is in it! Actually, it’s cool because it’s supported us over the years, and as one of the kids who comes in all the time always tells me, “I’m just here to help you live the dream man.” That they’ve done, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

To add Ryan as a friend or support a cool indie music store,go here:
www.myspace.com/galaxycds

Welcome to another edition of”Headliners”. This series features some of the brightest artists,both known and unknown. This allows you to get to know some of the people behind the art!.

When picking and choosing the people to interview,I have no set pattern. I just scroll over my friends and wait until someone tickles my “I wonder what this person is like” mode and I send a invite. Some friends I have had for a while and some friends are brand new. Like I said,no pattern..I try and keep the interviews balanced and refreshing.

Andy Mac is a pretty talented singer based in NYC. I found myself bringing up his page and listening to his music while I surfed the ‘Net. The man has an incredible voice and its very soothing. Reading his bio and watching the videos he has on his page revealed a very special talent in the making. His music is making inroads in the public mainstream slowly but surely.

The young man can write a pretty good blog as well…and he has a nice tight group of good fans who ensure a lively give and take,you’ll find yourself listening to “She Falls Away” or watching a video of “The Right Place” and dropping a comment on his blog.

Andy has a very busy playing schedule and he tours all over the Northeast and Canada but those readers who live in NYC are the luckiest ones as Andy has quite a few gigs lined up in his current base of operations. The schedule is listed on his MS page,so take it from me,do yourself a huge favor and go check Andy out when he plays in your city!

1. Tell us about the defining moment that made you want to make music for a living.

Well, it wasn’t so much a moment as it was an event. My grandfather passed away in 1998. He was an amazing man and a talented one, too. I couldn’t help but wonder what he might have done with his music if he had had the chance. I realized that everyone in my family busted themselves to try and give me opportunities that they didn’t have. So, since they cared enough to give me the shot, I decided to take it.

2. You were part of a famous acapella group, The Buffalo Chips…how did that happen?

Well, I can’t say that the Chips are famous. ) They were the acapella group at The University of Buffalo where I went to college. I auditioned, I got in. Sadly, there’s not much of an interesting answer here. Ha!

3. What does singing acapella consist of?

It consists of absolutely no instruments. It’s all voices and voices alone. It’s very challenging and very fun. And it’ll fine tune your singing quite a bit.

4. Your debut solo album, Music for a Bright Moon Sky, was licensed to MTV. What does that mean for you as an artist?

Well, any TV exposure is obviously beneficial. As an independent artist, I have to take what I can get as long as it’s not something I’m morally against. While it hasn’t been a HUGE difference, every little bit helps.

5. Act as a tour guide for your town…if we had 7-8 hours to kill before seeing you play, where would you take, show and feed us at?

Hmmm, well I live in NYC. 7-8 hours is not a lot of time here. There’s a million things to do as I’m sure everyone knows. But if I were the tour guide, I would take you to Strawberry Fields in Central Park and the Dakota where John Lennon was killed. I go there when I can to pay my respects. Then, I would take you to Gray’s Papaya for the “Recession Special” which is two hot dogs and a pop for $2.75. Nice. Then, a walk through Park Slope (my neighborhood) with a stop off at Chip Shop, an English fish and chips restaurant. Brilliant food. They deep fry candy bars. Nice.

6. What are 3 pros of playing solo and 3 pros of playing in a group.

Solo pros: There’s no one else to blame, easy travel, all the attention. )

Group pros: Amazing to sing three part harmony, much cooler vibe on stage, a priceless sound.

7. How does your creative process work in regards to songwriting?

That’s a long answer to a short question. I’ll try to condense it. I tend to write from inspiration as opposed to just “trying to write”. I normally hear a hook in my head, work it out, and then write a song around it. It can be piano, guitar, whatever. Hooks and choruses are what’s real to me. People may not always be able to sing every word to a song, but they SURE as hell know the hook.

8. What has been the most important media in advancing your career and why?

Hands down it would be the internet. The funny thing to me is that I was opposed to the internet when it first started becoming popular. It seemed a waste of time to me. Not anymore. ) It’s the most important tool for a singer/songwriter (next to the music itself, of course).

9. How do you as a singer/artist keep a upbeat attitude in today’s world?

Ummmmmm, I don’t. I’m quite a sad bastard. That’s not a joke.

10. How has MySpace helped your career and how do you stay in contact with your massive fanbase?

MySpace has been priceless to me. Promotion, cd sales, new friends and fans, etc…it’s just amazing how much it’s helped my career. I do personally write back to anyone who writes to me. It may take me awhile, but I don’t leave random comments or messages. If you hear from me, it’s me.

You can find out more about Andy by going here:

www.myspace.com/andymac

Welcome to an edition of Headliners,a new interview series here on Entertainment Vine. We strive to interview the very best in the world of music,books and music. The names might not be household names yet while others you may already know. The challenge is to go deeper with these wonderfully gifted talents and see the human side of them.

Gretchen Peters. Ever buy any of her albums? Turned on country radio and hear the personality announce her next huge single? Or turn the country video station on just to see her next blazing video? Most will say “No,I haven’t done any of that because I don’t know who Gretchen Peters is” Well,you couldn’t be more mistaken,Gretchen Peters is a legendary songwriter and quite a singer in her own right. She has won many awards during her long and very productive career,including the CMA for Song of the Year for “Independence Day”,which is Martina McBride’s biggest hit to date. Peters has written hit songs for a Who’s who…not only in country music(Trisha Yearwood,Faith Hill) but rock as well (Bryan Adams) and one of the blues singer in American history,Miss Etta James. Thats just a small sample of the artists she has written songs for…yet more people in the UK attend her shows then if she toured solo here in America. But thats always been the curse of American music,the truly great writers like Peters,John Doe,Barbara Manning and Dave Alvin always get overlooked by cookie cutter acts and tired “hat” acts pushed on the public by clueless record labels who have no idea of the talent they have.
Gretchen Peters was born in New York,not exactly Nashville. She found her way to Nashville in the late 80’s right when country’s last real singers were slowly being forced out by marketing groups and new blood that had no idea what real country music really was….she earned a record deal by 1996 but fell victim to a label that had no clue on how to promote her.
Gretchen continued to write,record and even tour….releasing CDs in Europe to critical acclaim.
Then after 23 years of marriage,Gretchen divorced her husband who also acted as her manager and booking agent. While this was a emotionally hard time for Gretchen,she channeled the experience into writing perhaps her finest CD to date,”Burnt Toast & Offerings” which was released here 9 August 2007. This is no country album,its far more deeper then mere country,this is a perfectly created and sung Americana and roots flavored effort,filled with bitterness,longing and an edginess that Peters has rarely expressed herself but has let others do it for her in various songs she has written. It takes courage and a certain bravery if you will,to open one’s soul to world no matter the cracks and crevices that might there.
I am a HUGE Gretchen Peter’s fan…and consider her one of the very best in American music history. Buy a CD or see a live performance and come tell me I’m wrong….I have a feeling I’ll be waiting for a LONG time!

And now…….Headliners with Gretchen Peters

EV This new album signals major life changes for you personally,how does one write music after such a trumatic event?

GP: The real question is how does one NOT? I had a brief interval where I asked myself if I was going to write about my divorce and all of the other things that were going on, but when you’re faced with arguably the most dramatic circumstances of your life, how can you not write about it? Not writing about it would be like not acknowledging the elephant in the room. I now look at it as a gift that I was given. I have told a lot of stories in my songs, but this one is my story.

EV: You clearly are one the most gifted songwriters alive today,how does it feel less gifted artists reap the benefits of your writing?

GP:Firstly, I don’t look at writing or singing or music in general as a competitive sport – all artists ought to be trying to find the thing that is uniquely “them” rather than competing. Some of us may write better, sing better – but isn’t that all really in the eye (or ear) of the beholder anyway? I don’t rank myself in terms of talent or anything, although I do judge myself all the time – am I writing as well as I can? am I singing/playing/emoting at the top of my ability? Am I learning? That’s the craft and the experience factor coming into play. But when another artist records one of my songs I’m, first and foremost, flattered. It means that they feel they can inhabit the character in the song – that they have found something in their own experience that resonates – and after all, that’s exactly what I’m hoping to do as a writer every time I sit down to write a song…

EV: The current country music scene seems really stale with cookie cutter acts like Sugarland and Taylor Swift,how can Nashville get its soul back? Why is so quick to abandon the artists that put it on the map?

GP: I think that to a great extent what’s happened in Nashville has happened overall in our culture. We live in a culture where celebrity is valued over artistry, where everything is for sale, where anything that can be packaged can and will be, and then marketed to the lowest common denominator. It’s unfortunate, it’s sad, but I don’t know that there’s much hope that the mainstream record labels will ever regain any real level of integrity. They are in the hands of accountants and lawyers. The halcyon days of the record business really happened before anyone realized that a lot of money could be made. The inmates were in charge of the asylum then – and it was a wildly creative, but very brief time in history. I’m talking about the late 60s and early 70s, primarily. Country music and pop music were really on parallel paths, at their zenith.

The bright side is that more and more artists are realizing that they can take matters into their own hands. I was lucky enough to be able to buy the master of my first album back, so that I own all of the rights and control my own destiny, artistically speaking. I never looked back. I am not what the major labels want – and they’re not what I want either.

EV: When did you know that you wanted to create music? What was the first song you ever wrote?

GP: I think I was five years old. I was on a car trip with my family and I was in the back seat with my big sister. I got an idea about “weeping willows”. Even then I was writing sad songs.

I learned the guitar at seven years old – at an arts camp where we put on plays, painted and made music, that sort of thing. I just gravitated towards it because it was a way of expressing myself. I also danced, painted, wrote poetry – I was just always trying to say something creatively. It didn’t really dawn on me that I could play music for a living until a high school boyfriend suggested it. It was like a lightbulb went on. I never really seriously entertained any other career aspirations after that.

EV: What is really great about you is you don’t forget your roots,what can songwriters do to stay true to their selves musically?

GP:I think you have to listen to your gut. Your instinct is probably the truest thing about you. I tell this to new songwriters all the time. Take advice, by all means – listen to critiques – but use your instincts above all. They will not steer you wrong. You can’t be something you’re not, much as you may admire it – and your gut will tell you when you’re trying to, if you’re willing to listen.

EV Take us thru the steps about writing this album,where were you when wrote each of the songs? Is songwriting a group thing or a private process for you?

GP:Songwriting is intensely private for me most of the time. I only co-wrote one song on the album, with David Mead. I love writing with David because he totally honors my need to go hide away with the lyric by myself, and work it out – he doesn’t need to write the song all in one sitting.

Most of these songs I wrote, or completed, down in Florida in a little house I have there. I like to go away by myself and work. I spend a week or so at a time down there and really don’t talk to anyone, just write and mess around with demos and things. It puts me in a completely different brain-space. But the ideas for the songs, of course, came at all different moments. During the tumultuous year when I left my husband, moved out and was going through quite a bit of drama, I was really only able to put down bits and pieces of ideas. I wasn’t able to process what I was going through – but I did catch bits of inspiration out of the air and squirrel them away… For instance, titles: Ghost, The Lady Of The House, Jezebel, Thirsty – these were all ideas that I had during that time. I knew I needed some time to go by – some perspective on the situation. I didn’t want this record to be bitter, or angry – I was interested in finding illumination, not recrimination. I wanted to tell my story, but I wanted to do it with some wisdom and insight.

EV: What is the biggest difference between touring Europe and the US?

GP: Things are closer together! It’s relatively easy to cover the whole of the UK in three weeks – it takes months to cover the US. The audiences are different, too. You can’t really generalize about Europe, though – depending on what country you’re in you’ll find a very different sort of audience. UK audiences, with whom I’m most familiar, are very knowledgeable about music, very informed. They love lyrics and can quote you lines from your own songs. They are great liner-notes readers. They tend to be quiet – sometimes you think you’re bombing up there but they’re just very restrained and polite. Then at the end of the show they’ll give you a standing ovation and you wonder what just happened. The Irish and Scottish audiences are more vocal, more like American audiences. I’ve played in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, too – both areas where English is widely spoken. That’s important if your lyrics are front and center like mine are. Overall the Europeans appreciate American music in a big way – I think sometimes more than Americans.

EV: Many artists write social-political songs…should commerical radio take sides or just play the music regardless of the issue?

GP:Everyone needs to remember that commercial radio is not in the music business, they’re in the advertising business. They will do whatever they need to do to sell advertising. First and foremost that means not pissing off either their clients or their audience. Commercial radio, therefore, is probably NOT the place to go to hear any meaningful commentary on the social or political state of the world…

EV: How the Nashville process work in terms of placing a song with a major act (in other words,how did Faith and Martina end up your songs?)

GP:I came to town in 1987 and looked for a publisher. A publisher goes out and plays your songs for artists, record companies, A&R people… I really wanted a publishing deal more as an avenue towards getting a record deal and because I wanted to be taken seriously as a writer. I never envisioned being a “Nashville hit songwriter”. I was just a folkie who loved country music and couldn’t figure out where else to go but Nashville. They were signing Nanci Griffith and Steve Earle to record deals, so Nashville made a certain amount of sense to me. But my publisher was successful in pitching my songs to artists like Faith Hill and Martina McBride. I never had a direct hand in it; I can’t think of anything I’d rather less do than to pitch my own songs.

EV: Tell us one thing we DON’T know about Gretchen Peters.

GP:I am a complete techie. I love gadgets, love my Mac, just got a new iPhone – I love all of that stuff. I definitely have a left-brain side which keeps me fairly organized and probably explains my fondness for all things high-tech. I hate TV though – haven’t watched it for years and only just got a flat-screen for watching movies. I think TV sucks your brains right out of your head.

EV: Is there anything you would have done differently in your career?

GP:It would have been great to recognize sooner that I had the ability be in control of my own destiny, artistically speaking. But I wouldn’t be the person I am, wouldn’t have made the record I just made had that journey been any easier. The hard-won epiphanies are the ones that stick with you. I’m very happy and satisfied where I am right now, and I wouldn’t give you two cents to go back.

EV:What would Gretchen Peters like her legacy to be?

GP: Just imagining that there is a legacy to be left is a bit mind-boggling. I would like to have made an impression on people’s hearts, the same way music has made an impression on mine. I would love to think that there might be some young girl out there with a guitar who is emboldened, engaged or inspired by something I did. That would be wonderful.

My thanks to Gretchen for her help and time.

To buy a copy of “Burnt Toast & Offerings” please go here

www.GretchenPeters.com

By Michael Sullivan

Welcome to another edition of “Headliners” an ongoing interactive series with the various movers and shakers of the music, book and film world.

I met Janet Robin in late 90’s while I doing my unplugged music series at the Agenda Lounge in San Jose, Calif. While the Agenda Lounge is more well known now for jazz and cutting edge DJs, for 2 years in the 90’s the acoustic series on Tuesday nights were quite the shit! The format was simple, electric bands would strip down and play unplugged.

I got Janet Robin’s press kit while at the EDGE and put it on the CD player in the office. While I listened to her CD, I commented to Jimmy (my boss and partner in crime) that Janet had taken lessons from the famed Randy Rhoads. While Jimmy would be the first to tell you I was “king of chick music”, he was pretty impressed by Janet’s playing. He knew me well enough to ask one question “When is she playing?” and that was even before I had booked Janet!

In person, Janet is not only a warm and gracious lady but is also stone cold beautiful. I spent half the night running the show and the other half picking up my soundman’s tongue..her set was brillant. Janet’s voice is both a bit bluesy but very sultry as well. But what sets her apart vocally is the urgency in her tone. You feel when she is singing,she is also LIVING the song at the same instant. Powerful stuff from a very underated and prolific singer.

And now, Headliners presents……Janet Robin

ET: What inspired you to learn to play music?

My brother initially inspired me.. he was in the room next door and I grew up hearing Zeppelin blasting thru the walls.. Heart, Sabbath, Bowie, Beatles…lot’s of music, and then he took up the guitar, so I followed in his footsteps, since i looked up at him. Then we both starting taking guitar lessons, and luckily got hooked up with Randy Rhoads who was teaching at his mom’s music school around the corner from my parent’s house.
fyi, my brother is now a dentist!
but, I have continued in music..he’s a big fan, though

ET : Whats it like running your label,Little Sister Records today versus say 8 or 9 years ago?

well i started my label almost 9 years ago, and there weren’t many indie DYI labels around. Ani DiFranco had the most successful one, I believe. It’s pretty easy now.. I just record and release under that name, although everything is tracked and has a bar code on each release. Of course, now with digital downloads and itunes, you don’t even necessarily have to have a label.
There’s a lot more avenue’s to promote and sell your music these days.

ET: What have been your 5 favorite places to play outside Los Angeles but still in California? What made them so special?
hmm… that’s a hard one to answer. Not sure if I have 5 but I can name a few:

1. Water Canyon Coffee Co. in Yucca Valley (Joshua Tree)

a small and intimate venue with great sound and a built in following. People really listen hear and pay attention. Also has great sound for a smaller type venue
2. Pappy and Harrie’ts also in Joshua Tree (Pioneertown)

this place is so special. it just has vibe everywhere and the audience is always up for a ROCKIN’ time out there in the desert. They have great sound and have had some incredible performers, Leon Russell, Shelby Lynn, Rikki Lee Jones. I dig playing here a lot.

3.Cozmic Cafe
I just played here a few weeks ago. It’s in Placerville, Ca. and has a great listening room vibe. Also, another venue where people are respectful and want to listen and pay attention to the tunes.

4. There’s a house concert I do in Palo Alto, so I am not sure this counts, but it’s called Blue Rock House Concert’s and the woman owns a beautiful house always set up perfect for a house concert performance. Always great attendance and respectful, enthusiastic audience.

5. The Coach House San Juan Capistrano
One of the first venues I played with Lindsey Buckingham’s band. Great sound, great stage, also another place with audiences that are enthusiastic and appreciative.

ET : As you get older,do you feel your songwriting gets more emotionally deeper with the wisdom you have gained thru the years?

I definately feel that you get older and wiser. Or, maybe you get younger and wiser. Either way, it’s working for me. I put more effort into lyrics these days and really want them to connect for me.

ET : Do you feel the vast tech advances have buried the most basic part of music,the music itself?

I feel that tech advances are always great and give you lot’s of choices. There’s a lot of computer/pro tools recording these days, and when done improperly can sound like plain wrap. But, ultimately it’s the song and the performance (good, bad or indifferent) that is captured by the artist, whether recorded live, on computer, or tape.

ET : What 5 bands playing today do you feel have both a musical,positive and social impact on the world today?

Well, U2 is continuing to do great stuff, musically and politcally. I think Coldplay is great. I like Paul McCartney’s show, it was awesome. Sting seems to want to make political statements. Melissa Etheridge is great and so is Bruce Springsteen.

ET : Many people feel politics and religion shouldn’t mix,what about music and politics?

I think if it’s art you should be able to do any darn thing you want with your art as long as it doesn’t physically harm another being. That is my opinion. You should be able, though, to sing or write about whatever you want.
Freedom of speech, as they say.

ET : You just released a new EP,tell us a little about it.

I signed with two producers, David Bianco and Steve Baughman, they’ve worked with John Hiatt, Tom Petty, U2, ACDC, all kinds of acts. We chose 5 songs that we felt at the time were the strongest. Recorded with a band and released it a few months ago. This time around, we spent more time on vocals, and my guitar sound. Really wanted to nail a vibe and guitar sound and do the songs justice, so we took our time in recording and arranging. I think it’s a nice collection. Of course, I have new songs already and would like to turn this EP into a full record, so we may end up doing that asap.

9. How has MySpace helped your career versus traditonal marketing ideas? Does it really help a performer?

myspace has totally helped bring new fans and exposure to my music. It’s been great to connect to other artists as well. I just got a European tour indirectly through myspace. My producer worked with another band in Prague, and we connected through our pages. Also, fans in other states and city’s can quickly look up where I’ll be playing on tour. It’s a great tool. Honestly, I use myspace more than then my regular website. The music, pictures, bio, tour dates all come up on one page right away and you can make it look however you want.. customize it. I like the ease and exposure capability of myspace.

For a far more detailed interview w/Janet,please go here:

http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/002540.html

To add Janet as a friend or buy her music:

http://www.myspace.com/janetrobinmusic

Or

www.janetrobin.com

Welcome to HEADLINERS. This is an ongoing interview series with various movers and shakers in the entertainment world. Some names you may know,others you may not have…..yet! But either way, you’ll come to enjoy meeting these folks!

And now and meet one of the UK’s best voices, Kate Emerson!

I first heard Kate Emerson’s voice when I was sent the latest CD from one of my favorite bands, Mermaid Kiss in 2006. I had stumbled across them the year before and became an instant fan. While they had a lovely lead singer named Evelyn, she wasn’t able to do all the vocal duties on the new album “Salt on Skin”. The members looked around and came across Kate who sang on three of the EP’s 7 songs. I was hooked even deeper because of Kate’s voice. Sadly as you’ll see below, the meshing of Kate and MK didn’t hold but I then discovered Kate on MySpace. During the past few months, I have found Kate to be a sheer delight, a powerhouse writer (when the mood hits), extremely creative and not afraid of any musical challenge. Currently she is living and writing songs in the UK in hopes of recording a EP or a LP in the near future.

You can hear some of Kate’s songs here
http://www.myspace.com/kateemersonrossandrews

1. What was your childhood like? Do you have one moment that defined who you are today?

My Childhood was so great that I have trouble letting go of it… and in all honesty I would often like to return… :/

My Mum and my Auntie were un-identical twins and my Auntie had my Cousin (Ian) two months after my Mum had me… so we spent a lot of time together… and I think that’s why I get on so well with Men on a platonic level. Then along came my Cousin Matthew 2 years later… and Amy 3 years after that… We spent the Summer holidays building bases in their garden and dams in the river… I was quite a Tom Boy and had mostly male friends in my younger years… As time went by I tended to have one female ‘best friend’ and a few other very close friends… I think what has defined me has been the various ‘compartments’ of my life… for I do compartmentalise and I battle with this… I have a Sister who is 7 years older than me and a Brother who is 5 years older than me… so in the ‘Birth Order’ scheme I am the ‘Last born’… and yet with these age gaps – from the age of 11 I was more like an only child … My Brother bought a house soon after leaving school and my Sister went off to live her mad existence at Art College… leaving me to be quite introspective.

I have always lived in Cheltenham… yet where I live we are on the edge between Gloucester and Cheltenham and ended up falling into the geographical catchment for Churchdown… so I went to School there… all the way through Primary to Seniors… This meant that most of my friends weren’t local… Hence, I tended to have friends at school who were different to the friends I saw at weekends or in the evenings… and I had all these different sections of my existence… I have often felt like I’m an actress in the film of my life playing different parts…

I have been a bit of a loner and that (I think) is the true ‘me’ as opposed to the extrovert that I become when placed in social settings. I spent most of my teenage years shut in my room studying (I was the ultimate square!!!) with my cat… listening to music and singing… all at the same time.

I spent hours playing about with my keyboard… writing strange pieces of music and putting them on to tapes… I became absorbed with Rock music from the age of 12 onwards and hated grunge when it came and swept many of my favourite bands out of the spotlight…

I kept dream diaries… I wrote journals… I have always felt like I’m living a secret life inside my head and have found a small number of special people who I have been able to invite in to my World…

In terms of ‘one moment defining who I am today…’ that’s quite difficult to say… I don’t think there is one single moment… I feel that my 3.5 year relationship with Darren has developed both me and him as people… although we are no longer together (we became more like Brother and Sister so are now best friends) – we really ‘opened’ up each others’ minds and I for the first time I felt like I could totally be myself with another person. I would say – that relationship enabled me to be even more eloquent, communicative and brutally honest than I was in the beginning.
I also think that when my Cat died (which hit me like a sledgehammer) – it imprinted the true fragility of Life into my psyche… making me realise – as I did more recently at my Brother’s Wedding… that life isn’t a rehearsal… it’s all happening right now… Scarey but true.

2. How did you get your taste for singing?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a taste for singing… My earliest memory of music is that I used to love those songs that Olivia Newton John did with dolphin and sea sounds in the background… (I can’t remember which they were)… But anyway, I was very young and I wouldn’t go to sleep unless my Dad played those songs and held me in his arms dancing with me to them… It was spiritual.

I used to sing along to the radio, my Parents’ records… anything I could hear… and I didn’t always get the lyrics right just by listening so I made my own up…ha ha!! In some cases these came out as really funny alternatives (I don’t think I understood the innuendos until I was older!!!)

I would sing in my room the whole time whilst I was studying… and I think the reason I have developed my lower range so strongly is that I was singing to vocalists like Eric Martin and Paul Stanley.

The truth is that no one really commented that I could sing… they just teased me… that is until I was 19 and got up and sang at a karaoke (of all things!) Then I just started getting up and singing at every opportunity. It has only been in recent years that my family and friends have taken any notice of my voice. It used to be a “closet” thing… practised in my room… or in the shower.

3. What is more challenging, singing or song writing?

That’s a tricky one… because they both are but in different ways. I mean – singing can be so natural for me – when I’m using the “sweet spots” of my range… but when I’m reaching very high it’s much more challenging than the song writing.

When it comes to writing songs they kind of come like astral gifts… like they just arrive in my head and stream out when I sing.. I write the lyrics down.. then sing them into my dictaphone to capture the melody.

But, when it comes to “getting the music out” from my mind’s eye and playing it on instruments… well…I find that a tough challenge… Playing musical instruments is something I have to work at. The lyrics and the slightly deeper, velvety vocals are my strengths.

4. You sang with Mermaid Kiss “Salt on Skin” EP in 2006, will you stay with the band or go solo?

I joined Mermaid Kiss in October of 2005… we had a magical time and I loved it. We did some amazing photo shoots and Chris Walkden was great to work with, as were Jamie (Field) and Andy (Garman)… I did lead vocals on three of the tracks on the Salt on Skin ep… Then, for various reasons, in the Spring of 2006 I chose to leave. Some of these reasons were creative, some geographical… some down to human “ego” and no, I’m definitely not perfect there!!!)

I still talk to Jamie and who knows what might happen in the future. I still value his friendship – we don’t talk very often but when we do it’s lovely. I know that the latest Mermaid Kiss project is really coming together now and I’m so pleased because I know how much it means to him.

For now… I have had various ups and downs in my recent endeaviours…and I have a few other avenues that I’d like to explore… I like the contrast of my vocals with electronic music…and I’d like to try something different… maybe with a slightly gothic edge.

5. What’s your opinion of the British music press?

I am probably the wrong person to ask here as I don’ really read “the press”… I used to get quite a few music magazines but now I tend to find new music over the internet… (myspace, amazon… general googling… or friends’ recommendations).

But I’m deviating from the question.

Okay, well, I’ve always hated the fact that we get bombarded with a lot of mainstream rubbish (in whatever genre it is) and I’m very thankful that the internet is giving us a chance to hear some great music that would have otherwise been the underground of the underground!!!!

6. If we came to your town at 9 am and had a day to kill and you were our tour guide, what would you show us?

Hmmm.. interesting one!

Having lived in Cheltenham all my life it’s a little hard to get excited about it… but I think I’d take you to Woodchester Park and show you the amazing views… lakes.. and the Mansion there… I’d take you to “The Night Owl” and you’d realise what a lousy rock scene we have to put up with!!!… but at least we have one now (for years we didn’t… it was just some “cyber goth” judder night at a pub called “The Two Pigs” and that wasn’t inspiring at all!!!

I’d take you up Cooper’s Hill and show you the Roman Ruins and then we’d walk to the pub at the end of the long path and sit in the garden out the back where all the bunnies and wildlife come out to play! (Magic ƒº)

7. Whats the best looking cat you have ever seen in your life?
(answer: Derek Jeter)

Ha ha!! Is this a bonus question Mike for there are two number sevens!!! Well.. yes… Derek is amazing… yet I have to say that my Cat Sophie was and always be my Guardian Angel and I miss her so much it hurts.

8. If you had a chance to model with a top agency or sing with your favorite band, which would you choose and why?

It would definitely be singing with my favourite band… (I’d love to sing a duet with Steve Perry from Journey!!!) Let’s face it… modelling is about creating images of beauty that aren’t altogether “real” in order to sell ideals to the consumerist society… Whereas music is the food of the soul… and singing is like spilling out emotions to (hopefully) touch others… it’s so satisfying and can feel so euphoric…

9. What are 5 things you would change about yourself?

1) Without a doubt I would have less sensitive skin… one late night or the wrong food and it breaks out… It’s much like the rest of me…: responds very well to being nurtured and very badly to being abused / taken for granted.

2) I would like to be a minimalist without the need to hoard everything… I love collecting things but it can become obsessive. In a nut shell: I’d like to not have obsessive compulsive tendencies… lol!!! (this seems to come hand in hand with my perfectionist nature)

3) I would be able to use the higher range of my voice as well as my lower range – and have as much a natural ability to play musical instruments as I do to write prose / lyrics (I am more of a ‘poet’ than a ‘musician’).

4) I wouldn’t need to seek approval from others (I still seem to do this… perhaps because my Dad was never that expressive about how proud he was / is of me… and thus I never thought he was). I tend to try and win people over as opposed to just embracing the people who love me exactly as I am… (I am changing this now…)

5) I would naturally balance my energy levels – rather than burn out and break down so often (yes… meditation will help).

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hmmm… I’d like to think that I’ll be out of the 9-5 existence and making a living from some kind of creative pursuit(s)… This could be writing, singing, producing, directing… I don’t really mind.

I would like to be living somewhere that’s not surrounded by roads and cars… ideally with my Soulmate.

In truth, I love creating and it is that part that I love the most… sometimes I wonder if I would just be happier living ‘in the close’ – with my creations being perused but not me… I feel more natural beneath the surface. That’s not to say that I don’t love being on stage and feeling the buzz that gives… I do. But I don’t know if I could retain my sanity being in the public eye constantly… Heather Nova’s got the balance right – Worldwide popularity, respect and recognition without the ‘celebrity’ status that invades peoples’ lives.

By Michael Sullivan

Welcome to a new interview series called HEADLINERS. We’ll be talking to both the famous and not so famous from all around the world of music. I hope you enjoy reading about these artists as much as I enjoy listening to them…